How a pre-New Year’s Eve illegal firework dispute allegedly saw shots fired in Sydney’s west

An alleged shooting and assault of two teens at a Sydney park was sparked by a debt involving the sale of illegal fireworks.

An alleged shooting and assault of two teenage brothers at a Sydney park was sparked by a debt involving the sale of illegal fireworks just days before New Year’s Eve, police claim.

Abdul Rahman Zreika, 24, allegedly discharged a handgun he had taken to a meeting at a park on Dudley Rd in Guildford where he and his accomplice Karim Ali met with a group of young men in the early hours of December 28.

Court papers tendered during the bail applications of Zreika and Ali in Parramatta Local Court on Saturday reveal police allege the fireworks deal began early on Christmas Day.

Police allege brothers Ali Derar, 19 and Omar Derar, 18, both of Guildford had started up a business selling fireworks for cash and met with Zreika, from Lidcombe and Ali, 22, of Auburn at 12.30am on December 25.

The meeting had been set up by a mutual friend, but after Ali allegedly paid $1200 cash to Omar Derar for $1900 worth of fireworks he said he would get the remaining money from the car – only for both he and Zreika to leave with the fireworks and without paying the rest of the cash.

Three days later, just after 1.15am on December 28, the Derar brothers were at a service station in Guildford when they saw Abdul Zreika and approached him about the $700 he allegedly owed.

Court documents state that during the confrontation, Zreika allegedly punched Omar Derar before his brother became involved and together they knocked Zreika to the ground, who then allegedly made threats about killing the pair.

The alleged details came out in court documentstendered during bail applications.

A number of phone calls were exchanged between those involved and the middle man who had organised the initial fireworks deal, before it was agreed that the two groups would meet at Dudley Road in Guildford.

The brothers had called friends to act as reinforcements, while police allege Zreika and Ali arrived at the meeting spot before the others and Zreika hid in bushland.

A short time later the brothers and three others arrived where Ali allegedly attempted to lure Omar Derar towards the bushland where Zreika was hiding.

According to police, Ali Derar spotted Zreika who appeared to be holding something behind his back, with a member of their group calling out to Omar not to go towards the bushes.

The documents state Zreika then came out from the bushes armed with a pistol, similar to a Glock, which he pointed at Omar Derar’s head and “demanded that he get on his knees”, which he refused.

Zreika is then alleged to have pistol whipped the victim, before a scuffle erupted between he and his friend Karim Ali, the Derar brothers, and another man during which Ali Derar was also hit with the firearm in the head – causing a shot to be accidentally fired.

“As the accused (Zreika) struck Ali Derar with the butt of the firearm, the firearm discharged and a bullet was fired from the chamber, causing a loud sound and a bright flashing light to occur,” the court documents state.

Abdul Zreika who was charged by NSW Police over a public place shooting at Guildford on December 28, 2025. Picture: NSW Police

“Immediately once the firearm was discharged all parties entered a state of panic.’’

All parties then allegedly left the scene, before Ali Derar was driven to Auburn Hospital where he received two stitches in his head.

Police began an investigation after a resident reported they had found a spent bullet cartridge and they obtained CCTV footage capturing the incident, before issuing an arrest warrant for Abdul Zreika.

A short time later on January 3, both Zreika and Ali attended Granville Police Station where Zreika was charged with eight offences including discharge firearm, affray and reckless wounding.

Ali was charged with ten offences including affray and reckless wounding while in company.

The pair were represented by prominent solicitor Talal Krayem and barrister Ben Barrick, with Ali granted bail to next face Parramatta Local Court on January 22 – provided a $1 million surety be paid and he wear an electronic monitoring bracelet on release.

Zreika was refused bail and will return to the same court a day later on January 23.

Neither of the Derar brothers have been charged by police as a result of the dispute.